Mrs. Nespy's World: Age Appropriate Chores

Yesterday I spoke about the chore system we are starting to use for our son. I am a firm believer in children learning work and responsibility from a young age. Whether or not you want to pay them for their work is a personal decision.

Please note that the handling of chores might vary with your child's maturity level and any physical limitations your child might have, so the ones I'm laying out are from experience and just to be used as a general guideline or a place to start. Regardless, these are tasks that may be age appropriate for your little ones.

1-2 Years (I told you - we start early)

Picking up Toys
Putting clothes in hamper/laundry basket
Putting dry food in pet bowl using a plastic cup
Brushing/flossing their teeth (with assistance)
Putting items in trashcan
Picking out their clothes for the next day (with guidance for weather considerations of course)
Help make their beds
Clean up spills they make
Put things back where they found them

3-4 Years (including any listed above)

Making their beds
Brushing teeth/flossing (supervised but unassisted)
Putting food and water in pet bowl using a plastic cup
Dusting (use a sock on their hand)
Dress themselves with minimal assistance.
Bringing in lightweight items from the car
Start learning how to sweep or holding dust pan for parent (no, the sweeping won't be pretty at this point, but they have to learn somehow), use dry mop on floors
"Help" wash the car
Help water plants
Clean own setting at table

5-6 Years (including any listed above)

Put away laundry
Sort laundry (colors/whites/etc)
Fold towels, socks, etc (some might even be able to clothing)
Sweep
Clip coupons
Clean windows (inside)/glass doors with supervision
Clean walls/baseboards, doors, doorknobs
Help wash the car
Water plants
Weeding (with supervision)
Hang up towels in bathroom
Pet's food and water
Load dishwasher (with supervision)
Dictate thank you notes for parents
Set table
Fix bowl of cereal
Prepare school items (backpack, homework, etc) for next day
Getting the mail

7-9 Years (including any listed above)

Pet's food, water, and exercise
Vacuum rooms
Wet mop rooms
Wash windows (inside) and doors without supervision
Put away dishes from dishwasher
Help prepare food (with supervision)
Pour drinks
Make PB&J sandwiches
Get own snacks
Help use coupons at store
Help put away groceries
Take out trash
Rake leaves
Weeding
Answer phone
Write thank you notes
Dry dishes by hand
Learn how washer and dryer work
Clean own room entirely
Clean mirrors
Help pack lunch for following day
Basic organization
Prepare own bath

10-14 Years (including any listed above)

Solely responsible for homework (parents can check over, but should not have to remind)
Get self up and ready in morning
Wash dishes by hand
Launder own clothes
Iron clothes (with supervision at first)
Learn to fold fitted sheet (yes...this is a skill)
Wash windows inside (and out if your windows fold inward)
Change sheets on bed
Deep clean own room
Put away all groceries
Change light bulbs
Clean kitchen (with supervision at first)
Clean bathroom (with supervision at first)
Mow the lawn
Help make grocery list
Cook a basic meal (reheating, grilled cheese & soup, etc)
Bake cookies and cakes
Older of group can baby sit in some states
Prepare lunches for following day
Change a litter box (for cat owners)
Give dog a bath
Basic home repair (painting, hanging picture, etc)
Learn basic car repair/maintenance